Electeic battery



(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 1.

0. P. SHREWSBUBY & J. L. DOBELL.

' ELECTRIC BATTERY.

No. 599,405. Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

(No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 2. O. P. SHREWSBURY & J. L. DOBELL.

ELECTRIC BATTERY.

No. 599,405 Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

rgu: Ncnms PETERS co. wnmmrmeu wAsmuu'rou, u L

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

O. P. SHREWSBURY 8; J. L. DOBELL. ELECTRIC BATTERY.

No. 599,405. Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

(No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 4. O. P. SHREWSBURY & J. L. DOBELL.

ELECTRIC B ATTBRY.

Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

, 6 'Shee ts S heet 5. G. P. SHREWSBURY & J. L., DOBELL.

ELECTRIC BATTERY (No ModelJ' Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

6 Sheets-Sheet 6. ELL.

(No Model.)

0. P. SH REWSBUYRY 8; J. L. DOB

1 ELECTRIC BATTERY.

Patented Feb. 22, 1898.

STATES rricni CHARLES PERCY SIIREYVSBURY, OF LONDON, AND JOHN LASKEY DO BELL, OF MODBURY, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,405, dated February 22, 1898.

Application filed December 24, 1896. Serial No. 7 ,183- (N model-J T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES PERCY Snnnwsnonv, engineer, residing at No. 8 Furnivals Inn, in the city of London, and

JOHN LASKEY DOBELL, electrician, residing at Traine, Modbury, in the county of Devon,

England, subjects of the Queen of Great Britain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Batteries, of which to the following is a specification.

This invention refers to that class of electric batteries in which the dissolving or positive electrode consists of carbonaceous material and the negative electrode of iron or I 5 another suitable substance and in which the exciting liquid is a nitrate or mixture of nitrates or other suitable salt or salts kept in a state of fusion by the aid of heat and caused to continuously circulate through the battery. In batteries of this class the efficiency falls as the oxygen of the salt is consumed by combining with the carbon. It is, however, as is well known, possible to restore or maintain the efliciency of the salt by the aid of a suit- 2 5 able oxygen-carrier-for instance, in the case of a nitrate 01' nitrates by nitric-acid fumes, which readily give up one part of their oxygen and pass off as nitrous-acid fumes. Assuming a nitrate to be the salt employed, we cause the circulation thereof through the battery by means of a jet of nitric-acid fumes, or, in the case of dilute nitric acid, by the simultaneous action of nitric-acid fumes and steam, which are generated by the vaporization of nitric acid in a suitable vessel heated by immersion in the fused nitrate and continuously or intermittently supplied with nitric acid inregulated volume from an elevated reservoir. These nitric-acid fumes serve at the same time to effect the mechan ical circulation of the nitrate and to maintain the efficiency thereof.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, we will now proceed to describe the same, aided by the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a battery embodying the improve- Fig, 2 is a plan thereof with the outer cover ments constituting the present invention removed. Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof, partly in section. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 1 l of Fig.

2, with the exception that the acid-reservoir is not shown in section. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig.

6 is a detail View of parts representinga modified means for closing the porous pots. Fig.

7 is a side elevation, partly in section, repre- 6o senting the application of some of the improvements to a battery of well-known construction. Fig. 8 is a plan thereof with the outer cover removed. Fig. 9 is a longitudiual section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 8, with the exception that the acid-reservoir is not shown in section. Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4 4. of Fig. 9. Fig.

11 is a vertical section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 9 with the end of the outer casing removed.

In the several figures which illustrate forms of apparatus that we have found most useful for the purpose of this invention like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, crepresents a rectangular iron trough or tray, from which depend from a point below the level of the fused salt a number of cylindrical cells or pots l), which are preferably of iron and formed with the trough ct, and the cells bare thus in electrical connection with the general body of the trough a and therewith constitute the negative electrode, and each of the cells or pots b is formed with a rising central part or hollow pillar 17*, open at its lower end and closed at its upper end.

The dissolving positive electrodes are formed by cylinders c, of carbonaceous material, each of which is suspended from a cover f, which seats upon an inner cover or tray d of the trough a and closes its respective cell or pot b, as hereinafter more fully described. These carbonaceous cylinders c are inclosed in annular porous pots e, at their upper ends flanged and thereby suspended from the inner cover cl, as hereinafter more fully described, and the porous pots e are each formed with a central hollow part 8* on their under sides to receive the part b* of the metal pot I), while the zoo porous pots e are formed of such dimensions that a sufficient space is provided for the cir aperture.

culation of the fused salt between them and the walls and central part If of the metal cells or pots I).

By inclosing the carbon electrodes 0 within the porous pots e the fused salt immediately surrounding the carbon cylinders c is kept in a comparatively quiescent state and the carbonic-acid gas resulting from the chemical combination readily escapes through an opening or openings f in the coverf of each porous pot into the upper part of the trough or tray a, whence it may be drawn off, as hereinafter described, without becoming mixed with the nitrous gases formed outside the porous pots c. This is of great advantage in recovering nitric acid from these nitrous gases or vapors. By this arrangement it is possible to employ at the positive pole other salts .or mixture of salts than at the negative pole and thus to obtain an increase of electrical energy. For example, in the metal cells or pots b may be employed sodium nitrate or a combination of sodium nitrate and lead nitrate, or other salts not necessarily nitrates may be employed, and in the porous pots 6 may be used potassium nitrate or other suitable salt.

By means of the peculiarformation of the porous pots, metal cells, and carbons the active surface of the parts is much increased and the efficiency of the battery correspondingly improved.

The body or upper part of the trough or tray CtlS surrounded by a flange a, upon which is placed in an air-tight manner a non-conducting rim g, and upon this rim g is removably fastened in an air-tight manner the inner cover d of the trough a.

The inner cover (Z of the trough a is formed with a number of circular apertures, one corresponding with each of the metal pots or cells I), and through each aperture is introduced one of the porous pots c, as before explained, which, by means of a flange c, rests upon and is cemented to the inner cover d and is thus suspended in the fused nitrate contained within the metal pots or cells 1).

Around each aperture in the inner cover 01 is provided a vertical rim d, and fixed upon and in electrical contact with the upper end of each carbonaceous cylinder 0 is a cover f, hereinbefore referred to, which is shaped to closely embrace the rim d, surrounding the Another. vertical rim (1 on the inner cover (1 of the trough or tray a surrounds the whole group of carbonaceous cylinders c and covers f, thus forming around each aperture a channel within which is introduced, so as to flow around the rims d, inclosing the porous pots c, a quantity of a suitable metal or alloy which will melt at a comparatively low temperature and be maintained in a fused condition by the general heat of the battery, and-this fused metal or alloy thus forms an electrical connection between the whole of the carbonaceous cylinders c and at the same time seals thc'covers f.

The fused metal in the space f is by a conductor electrically connected with terminal a, which'constitutes one pole of the battery, and a projection or terminal n from the trough or tray a and which is thus electrically connected with the metal body of the trough a and pots or cells I) constitutes the other ole. p A supplemental pot I) at one end of the device, and which is hereinafter more fully referred to, is connected at its lower part with the upper part of the opposite end of the trough or tray a, adjacent to the end pot b, by means of an inclined circulation-pipe k, and the fused nitrate circulates through the lower part of the trough or tray a and into each of the cells bin succession and beneath the porous pots e, where it is directed by bafiie-plates 6 until it finally reaches the supplemental pot b, whence it enters the circulation-pipe 7c at its lower end and is caused, as hereinafter described, to flow back into the trough or tray a, at the upper part of the opposite end thereof. At this end the trough or tray is formed with a horizontal tubular part a to which is connected a lateral arm of the circulation-pipe 7t, and the tubular part a is along one side formed with a slit or opening, as shown, or it might be with a number of perforations, through which issues the fused nitrate into the trough or tray to and thence into the first of the series of pots b.

A great advantage of arranging the circulation-pipe in an inclined position is that the circulation of the fused salt in the desired direct-ion is rendered more regular.

At the other end of the batteryis provided a closed vaporizing-chamber j, which is immersed in the fused nitrate contained within the supplemental pot b and is thus main tained at the required heat, and above the vaporizer j is placed a reservoir h of nitric acid, connected with the vaporizer j by a pipe h and cock or valve in such manner that the nitric acid can be allowed to fall into the vaporizer j in a regulated volume, and the nitric acid thus becomes vaporized and consequently expanded. The fumes thus produced escape through a pipe r provided with a back-pressu re valve r and leading from the upper part of the vaporizing-chamber j to an injector 5, located in the circulation-pipe 7t, and the pipe 7' passes through the body of the fused nitrate contained within the supplemental pot Z), whereby it is-maintained at the required heat.

The vaporizing-chamberj is connected with the acid-reservoir h by a suitable pipe 7L2, in order to equalize the pressure in the respective vessels, and the reservoir h is provided with a suitable safety-valve h so as to relieve it in the event of the creation of excessive pressure. On issuing from the injector s the acid vapors come into direct contact with the fused nitrate, and on the one hand maintain the efficiency thereof and on the other hand by their expansive force effect a circulation of the same through the circulationpipe and through the battery.

The battery, including the porous pots, is charged to about the level shown by the dotted line in Fig. at with the desired nitrate or other salt, which on first commencing to work is fused by the aid of heat in any suitable man ner applied to the exterior of the battery, and such as that represented in Fig. 3, where it represents a gas fire of any suitable construction, and if the heat generated by the chemical action of the battery be insufficient for subsequently maintaining the salt in a fluid condition the further necessary heat may be supplied by the aid of the gas fire a. The fused salt is forced by the circulating appliances hereinbefore described to flow into the lower part of the trough or tray a, above the metal pots or cells Z), thence down the space between the walls of the first cell 6 and porous pot 0, under the porous pot and more or less into the hollow thereof, and up and over into the next metal pot or cell 19, and so on until it finally flows into the supplemental pot b at the opposite end of the battery, where it serves to heat the vaporizing-chamberj, and thence it again flows into the lower end of the circulating-pipe 76, through which it is again carried upward by the injector s, and so on.

The lower part of the battery-that is to say, the pots or cells b-are surrounded by a casing or jacket 15, the object of which is to prevent the radiation and consequent loss of heat from the battery. A pipe 25 is provided in the cover '6, by the aid of which the carbonic acid issuing from the apertures f of the covers f may be drawn off as desired, and the nitrous or superfluous nitric-acid fumes are taken oif from the active part of the battery by means of a pipe at.

The nitrous fumes taken off as above described may be treated in any suitable known manner in order to recover nitric acid.

In the example given at Fig. 6 is illustrated a convenient method of making a tight joint between the caps or covers f and the rims d of the inner tray cl without employing the readily-fusible metal seal hereinbefore described, and which latter, although it is a convenient device and forms an excellent electrical connection between the various carbon electrodes, is not indispensable to the principal features of the present invention; but the arrangement represented at Fig. 6 and which is of a very simple character may be employed with almost equal advantage. This device consists in forming the rim cl, surrounding each aperture in the inner cover d, with an internal taper to constitute a seat and correspondingly forming the cap or cover fto fit the same, by which means a perfectly tight joint and a good electrical contact is obtained between the parts, while the tray 01 electrically couples the series of carbons, as will be readily understood, and in this case instead of the terminal constituting one pole being electrically connected by a conductor leading from the soft'metal seal in the space f such terminal is by a conductor electrically conuected with the trough or tray cl.

Although the metal pots or cells and the porous pots and coacting parts are shown and described as cylindrical in form, it will be understood that such form may be varied and such parts may be of rectangular or other suitable form.

In the example given at Figs. 7 to 11 the present invention is shown applied to a wellknown form of battery. In this case in lieu of the separate metal pots or cells I) the lower part b of the battery is formed like a rectangular box, within which are fixed at suitable intervals partitions 12*, of iron or other suitable material, which extend from the bottom upward to a point below the level of the fused nitrate, and such plates 11" are part of or are in electrical contact with the general body I) of the battery and constitute therewith the negative electrode. The dissolving positive electrode is formed by carbonaceous plates 0, suspended from the inner cover cl of the battery, and these carbon plates are inclosed within porous pots e, suspended in the manner described with respect to the previous figures; but in this case the porous pots e and apertures in the inner cover d are formed rectangular in shape to correspond with the form of the carbon plates 0. The electric connection with the terminal a and the sealing of thecaps or covers fare shown effected in a similar way to that described with respect to Figs. 1 to 5. The circulation-pipe 7c in this example is shown formed with a lateral arm 70, and the trough is shown formed with a corresponding recess to receive the arm is, which conducts the fused nitrate into the battery, while along one side this arm is preferably slotted or perforated to promote an even distribution of the issuing fused nitrate into the battery. The supplemental cell 1) (shown and described with respect to the previous figures) is in this example dispensed with, and the vaporizing-chamber j is introduced into one of the spaces surrounding the porous pots e. The circulation of the exciting fluid and the action of the battery are similar to that hereinbefore described with respect to the previous figures and will be readily understood upon reference thereto.

Although the improvements hereinbefore described are shown applied to forms of batteries that have been found to answer well in practice, it will be understood that such improvements are equally applicable to batteries of the same class but of different construction.

What we claim is 1. An electric generator consisting of a me tallic cell containing an electrolyte, a chamber therein, a pipe leading from said chamber into the electrolyte and suitable means containing suitable electrodes, a heated vaporizing-chamber connected with the cell, a reservoir of a suitable liquid connected with the vaporizing-chamber and supplying the liquid thereto, so that the liquid will expand into vapor, and the vapor generated will thereby be forced into the exciting fluid, substantially' as herein shown and described.

3. In an electric battery of substantially the character described, a cell or series of cells containing suitable electrodes, a circulation pipe connecting the extremities thereof, an

a vaporizing chamber heated by suitable means and connected with the injector, and supplied with nitric acid or other suitable fluid so that the exciting fluid will be circulated among the electrodes, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In an electric battery of substantially the character described, a metal trough or vessel formed with a series of depressions, wells,

or pots having central pillars rising therefrom, a series of porous pots formed with central hollows Or recesses in their under sides to receive the central pillars, and a series of tubular carbons shaped. to loosely fit the porous pots and suspended from alid or cover, substantially as herein shown and described. 5. In an electric battery of substantially the character described, a vessel provided with suitable negative electrodes, a closely-fitting but insulated lid to the vessel, a number of separate divisions or cells in the vessel, a number of porous pots suspended from openings in the lid, one in each division or cell, each pot having suspended therein a positive electrode of carbonaceous material, a rim around each opening, a rim around the entire top, a cap upon each carbon fitting over the adjacent rim, a quantity of metal of low melting point within the rims, and constituting a seal around the caps and electric connection between the carbons, and means for taking off the carbonic-acid gas and the nitrous-acid fumes separately, substantially as herein shown and described.

CHARLES PERCY SHREWSBURY. JOHN LASKEI DOBELL.

Witnesses: v

GEO. S. VAUGHAN, T. R. OocKs. 

